I think one problem a lot of space stories have is background alien species: aliens designed to be in the background of many shots that just don't have anywhere near as much thought and love and energy as aliens designed to be main characters have. And as such, they kinda end up sucking. The Lumati, while being kinda funny for one episode, end up such. Just take a look at their visual design: it's just miscellaneous face prosthetics: kinda boring.

I really love this one, and I side with those who like "the agreement". I know B5 is a smart show, but not every moment has to be intellectual. This is just a bit of silly fun. It fits with Susan's "alternative diplomacy" thing that she started with the Drazi too

I too must chime in with those who think the "sex" scene is silly. It is also illogical - Ivanova suggested that it could be too strenuous for the Lumati, but he had almost no action at all. I can appreciate the opportunity to see Ivanova from a different (very sexy!) side, but that scene should have been written more skilfully. The punch line with the gift is amusing though...

I did like Mollari's part in this episode. His lonesomeness, which will continue throughout the rest of his life, almost makes me feel sorry for him. He desperately wants friendship, respect - and has become "a wishing well on legs" - a nice, apt description!

G'Kar's change of character already begins here, his movement from a warmonger to a seeker for peace.

...Ivanova suggested that it could be too strenuous for the Lumati, but he had almost no action at all....

That was just part of the sell, part of the hype, part of the performance; Ivanova didn't actually plan on doing something that would be too strenuous for him. It was kind of an ego attack, making him more willing to go along in order to prove he can handle the strenuoucity. It was a bit of a foot-in-the-door manipulation on Ivanova's part.

Like the Lumati's social philosophy could reveal a history of Shadow influence in their species, I also think that we see that with another species too: the Drazi. With the whole Purple-Green conflict, there is really no reason behind that beyond having a conflict to see who'll win in the end, and the winners then proceed to rule their government for the next period until they engage in the conflict again years down the road.

Like the Lumati's social philosophy could reveal a history of Shadow influence in their species, I also think that we see that with another species too: the Drazi. With the whole Purple-Green conflict, there is really no reason behind that beyond having a conflict to see who'll win in the end, and the winners then proceed to rule their government for the next period until they engage in the conflict again years down the road.

I never made that connection between the Drazi and the Shadows before, VL. But now that you mention it, it does make sense.

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Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Just watched this ep again after so many years. I remember watching this for the first time and really hoping that Londo made a reconnect with Garibaldi, and stepped back from the dark turn he made. Oh well

I like the humor of the Lumati scenes, although I do tend to laugh at things easily. Still, what strikes me as really funny is the wonderfully ludicrous disjunction between how exaltedly they see themselves and how absurd they really are. That makes great comedy, and could apply to so many other people and situations.

The meat of the episode though is the further development of Londo and G'kar, without a doubt. I always feel so desperately sorry for Londo here, ironically because he got what he wanted, and he never thought of how it would totally isolate him from others. In very nice symmetry, G'kar also reaps what he's sowed--his thirst for vengeance has partly gotten him and his people where they are, thus illustrating a central irony of the episode: beware what you wish for; you just may get it. And you feel just as sorry for him in that terrible laughing/crying moment after he finds out what Delenn and Sheridan are risking to help him. The episode is cool for them too, how it illustrates that when institutions fall down on the job, it's up to moral individuals to pick up the slack., and how hard this can be when you're surrounded by extremists who'll pursue their agenda regardless of how self destructive and wrong headed it clearly is. Gosh. Applicable lessons here for our own current set of headlines.